Travel

Travelling Hobart

Discover the top destinations, dining experiences and sights to see while travelling Hobart, Tasmania‚Äôs capital city.

Provoke recently left the sunny Queensland shores and experienced a wonderful long-weekend in Hobart. From wildlife sanctuaries and historic sites to fine-dining and must-taste experiences, here are the top places to stay, see and experience whilst travelling Hobart.

Our spacious Hunter Street room was a suite in itself, with a lounge area, balcony, striking furnishings and luxurious ensuite. Executive Suites are available, with a private butler service among many other incredible features, so if you can afford to splurge I definitely recommend this as the place to do so. All amenities were provided during our stay, including complimentary daily water, coffee and tea provided in room, umbrellas, movies as well as complimentary valet parking and more.

During our stay, we had the opportunity to enjoy a lovely wine in the Lounge overlooking the water, to dine on seafood at the delectable Old Wharf Restaurant and we thoroughly enjoyed both. An easy walk from the hotel to nearby attractions, restaurants and sights, MACq 01 was everything you wanted from a hotel and much, much more.

The most special feature yet, though an overlooked one I am sure, was the complimentary historical tours offered by the hotel. We had the pleasure of joining the Salamanca Markets tour, lead by our wonderful tour guide Kate. Kate met us in the hotel lobby and spun us a tale of the Hobart harbour in its earliest days. She proceeded to lead us through the city imparting wonderful tales of history, pointing out buildings of meaning and historical value throughout our stroll. We ended the tour at the Salamanca markets, and were truly impressed with our hotels complimentary tour.

We would like to write a special mention of our MACq 01 tour guide, Kate, who went above and beyond to help make our travelling Hobart stay as enjoyable as possible. After casually mentioning our interest in visiting Mount Wellington during our holiday, Kate returned to the hotel and proceeded to write us a detailed information package ‚Äď with maps and places of interest about Mount Wellington ‚Äď that she had delivered to our room. If that‚Äôs not exceptional service, I don‚Äôt know what is.

Exterior

MACq 01 Entrance

Lobby

Lounge Bar

Room Door

Hunter Street Room

Hunter Street Room

Hunter Street Room

Hunter Street Room

Bathroom – Hunter Street Room

Superior Hunter Suite

Luxury Waterfroont Suite

Waterfront Room

Waterfront Room

Waterfront Room

Waterfront Balconies

Executive Corner Suite

Premium Waterfront Suite

Premium Waterfront Suite

Premium Waterfront Suite Private Balcony

View of the Harbour from Premium Waterfront Suites

Hobart Harbour View from Premium Waterfront Suites

Bathroom – Premium Waterfront Suite

Story Tour

The Food

I could carry on about the Hobart food for days. From casual dining to fine-dining experiences, our holiday was spoilt for delicious food choices. So very many incredible dining options are located within walking distance of the harbour, but here are a few of the more notable favourites from our travelling Hobart holiday.

Osteria

Owned and operated by Stefano Lubiana Wines and located on their vineyard, Osteria is a small farmhouse-style eatery reminiscent of Italy. Dishes are created based on what is local and in season, and filled with fresh, delicious tastes of Tasmania. Their ever-changing menu features ingredients all sourced from their biodynamic vegetable garden, harvested honey from their own bees, their own picked and preserved produce and homemade wood fire oven baked bread made from organic flours. Their meats are all free-range selections from local farmers and local wild caught seafood.

Combined with their selection from the Stefano Lubiana Wines range, this is truly a restaurant that will delight your tastebuds. We absolutely recommend tasting the Estate Pinot Noir 2016 during a lunch visit. We departed with a bottle, purchased after our meal, so that we can enjoy this delicious wine again at a later date.

Osteria – Stefano Lubiana Wines

Landscape Restaurant & Grill

Without a doubt, this was one of our favourite restaurants in Hobart. With so many award-wining restaurants in the area, this is quite the statement, but Landscape Restaurant & Grill well and truly lives up to all of its hype and then some.

Located in the heart of Hobart along Hunter Street‚Äôs waterfront precinct, their menu is inspired by the exquisite local produce of the island. They are a restaurant committed to ‚Äúconstantly pushing the benchmark for premium dining in Tasmania‚ÄĚ, and I am happy to report they have well and truly achieved excellence.

Set within the historic walls of the IXL jam factory, Landscape Restaurant & Grill‚Äôs interior is surrounded by the iconic art of John Glover. These private collection 19th century paintings, that inspired that restaurants name, are hung throughout the venue and are truly an unforgettable sight to behold. It is within this stone, art and history filled interior, that culinary magic happens.

On the coals of their Asado grill, ‚Äúsears aged local wagyu, tender Tasmanian lamb, freshly caught seafood and other premium ingredients‚ÄĚ, explains the restaurant of their masterful dishes and unrivalled flavours. It is a statement we can truly support after an evening filled with the most tender and mouth-watering steaks and accompaniments.

We of course cannot move on until we also mention their wine. Their cellar is a stunning sight, and the tastes are altogether astounding. Curated by their sommelier, Landscape Restaurant & Grill‚Äôs extensive wine list combines old wines with new wines and even emerging niche wines. This also includes an extensive list of spirits, with both boutique and top-shelf options available.

Our evening included a stater to share, that was a toast to fresh local produce. Steaks, rib eye for my date and eye fillet for myself. I could wax on about the tender, delicious, delectableness of these mains, but they really are something you need to try to believe. Our wine was a deep red, decanted by the incredible staff and served to the perfection of its taste. Our dessert was a top-shelf port served with complimentary chocolate truffles.

We departed satisfied and full, a little drunk and sincerely hopeful for another incredible evening at this excellent venue on our next travelling Hobart adventure.

Landscape Restaurant & Grill

Prawns

Dish

Steak

Venue

Cheese

Dish

Entrance

Seafood

Venue

Old Wharf Restaurant

As mentioned above, in part of the MACq 01 Hotel resides this restaurant overlooking the water. Old Wharf Restaurant incorporates raw and robust design elements through the use of iodised steel and recycled wharf timbers.

Focused on seafood, which perfectly complements the surrounding ocean view, this restaurant was a delight to our taste buds and an exceptional evening meal. All of the restaurants ingredients are locally sourced to deliver a menu based around Tasmania‚Äôs local produce and freshest seafood.

Menu

Menu

Menu

Menu

Menu

Venue

Venue

Venue

The Sights

There were so very many things to do and see in and around Hobart. From wildlife to historical sights and more, here are our top picks on places to go and things to see during your travelling Hobart holiday.

Port Arthur

Roughly a one hour and 30 minute drive from Hobart, Port Arthur is a former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, and it is one of Australia‚Äôs most significant heritage areas. As one of Australia‚Äôs original convict sites, this World Heritage Property consists of eleven remnant penal sites. Built during the 18th and 19th centuries by the British Empire, the Port Arthur site is one of ‚Äúthe best surviving examples of a large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts‚ÄĚ, according to the Wold Heritage Convention of UNESCO.

Travelling Hobart tourists are invited to this special place of vivid history to see for themselves the life of an 18th and 19th century convict of the British Empire in Australia. Entry tickets are $39 per adult and $17 per child, giving you two consecutive day access to explore and enjoy more than 30 historic buildings, ruins, restored houses, heritage gardens, walking trails, a 40-minute guided Introductory Walking Tour, a 25-minute Harbour Cruise and entry to the Port Arthur Gallery (which includes interactive exhibits and displays). Many choose to visit this site for the day, but if you can spare the time I absolutely recommend dedicating a full two days here. You will not be disappointed for things to see and history to discover across this expansive site.

The landscape and foliage of this location is a great representation of the UK, with plant life having been transported across oceans to remind the community of guards, doctors, families and ship crews of home during their time at Port Arthur. Even some animals were shipped this long distance, so that hunting and other such beloved sports could continue despite being away from their Motherland.

From churches to punishment cells, the landscape of this entire site is enriched in history. With enthralling tales at every turn, this place will astound people from all walks and ages of life. You can feel the spirit of this place, you can feel the loneliness and you can feel the suffering. But, you can also find understanding of a time so unlike ours today and see for yourself the homes and lifestyles of many. From convicts to guards, Corporals to wives and families, there were so many that lived among this community to ensuring the smooth running and labour of the convicts and this prison. At Port Arthur, in a very rare experience, you can see how all types of people lived and spent their days during these centuries.

Bring your walking shoes and prepare yourself for an unforgettable day of history that you will honestly never forget.

View from Boat Tour

Prison Cells

Prison Cells

Path to Cottages

Church

Church

Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

Lovers of modern art will simply adore MONA. Located within the Moorilla winery on the Berriedale Peninsula. It is the largest privately funded museum in Australia! Owner, David Walsh, has built MONA to share with the public his collection of antiquities, modern and contemporary art.

This $75 million museum is an underground three-level labyrinth built into the surrounding cliffs.¬† Visitors, upon entry, descend to the bottom level and work their way back up viewing the art and exhibits along the way. There are no windows, and the atmosphere is art in itself.

A private ferry to and from MONA and Hobart is available, running throughout the day. This camouflaged catamaran takes roughly 25 minutes. Onboard guests can enjoy drinks while admiring the view. There is also a Void Bar located within the underground art gallery as well as Faro bar and restaurant, so that guests can enjoy a drink and some food whilst visiting MONA.

Menu

Faro Restaurant & Bar

MONA

Mount Wellington

Mount Wellington is a natural reserve overlooking the harbour. When travelling Hobart, this is definitely a must-see! You can choose to throw on your hiking gear and stroll through the cool forested gullies along its historic walking tracks, grab a bike or saddle a horse and traverse the rough mountain tracks or drive your way along the scenic winding mountain road to the top for a spectacular view unlike any other. Whatever style of adventure you choose, Mount Wellington is a beauty you won‚Äôt want to miss.

Summit – Mount Wellington, Tasmania

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

If you‚Äôre looking to see some Tasmanian Devils whilst travelling Hobart, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is the place for you. An easy 30-minute drive from the heart of Hobart, Bonorong offers the unique opportunity to see rare Tasmanian wildlife in their natural habitat. From Tasmanian Devils and echidna‚Äôs, right through to koalas and ‚Äėpet the kangaroo‚Äô experiences. There is much to see and plenty to do at Bonorong.

About Logan Smith

My days are usually spent¬†typing away at my computer, interviewing locals and discovering¬†everything this gorgeous state has to offer in order to share it with you. But if not there, you‚Äôll find me¬†exploring¬†the local food markets, hiking the hinterland, walking my dog on the beach, jet skiing the crystal blue ocean, tasting the delicious coffee, food and wine everywhere I go at every restaurant in town or simply enjoying the beautiful Queensland countryside.

My passion for writing has seen my dream of Provoke through to a reality, and hopefully, all of you fellow Queenslanders experience¬†the same love for it¬†as I do.